Salem
Salem is a boy's name of Arabic origin.
Meaning
Peaceful, safe, or complete.
Origin and history
Salem is a name of Semitic origin, derived from the Arabic and Hebrew roots meaning 'peace' or 'safe'. It is historically linked to ancient placenames, including the biblical city of Salem, later associated with Jerusalem. In the United States, Salem has traditionally seen use for both boys and girls, experiencing a significant rise in modern popularity.
Popularity in the United States
4,687 babies in the United States have been named Salem since 1880. It ranks #1806 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #667.
States where it is most popular
- CA (12.8 %)
- TX (12.5 %)
- NC (5.9 %)
- OH (5.7 %)
- FL (5.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 36 |
| 1920-1930 | 39 |
| 1930-1940 | 8 |
| 1940-1950 | 14 |
| 1950-1960 | 11 |
| 1960-1970 | 23 |
| 1970-1980 | 97 |
| 1980-1990 | 159 |
| 1990-2000 | 255 |
| 2000-2010 | 471 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,240 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,334 |
Famous people named Salem
- Salem Al-Dawsari: Professional Footballer
- Salem Poor: Revolutionary War Soldier
Fun facts
- The name Salem originates from an ancient Semitic root for peace and is widely considered the older name for Jerusalem.
- More than half of all recorded U.S. male births given the name Salem since 1880 have occurred since 2020.